VETERANS DISABILITY BENEFITS - RATINGS

NOT SIMPLE MATH

Compensation for your Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claims is typically dependent on the rating system, you will first need to attain your disability rating. This rating, along with other factors, will determine your monthly disability compensation and other healthcare benefits.

Based on the severity of the service-connected condition, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) assigns a rating from 0 percent to 100 percent, typically in 10 percent increments. 

If you have more than one disability, the VA uses a combined disability rating system that does not follow "normal" math. Instead of adding your disability ratings together, VA math factors a single rating into the percent you are considered “able”. 

For example: 

You have the following service-connected disability ratings:

•  • 30% rating for a neck injury
•  • 20% rating for a right knee injury
•  

Based on these ratings, you would assume your combined rating would be 30 + 20 = 50 percent

However, the combined rating math does not simply add all of the ratings together to calculate your total disability. Instead, the VA racks and stacks the disabilities in descending order. In this example, disabilities are ranked 30 percent and 20 percent. The combined disability math is:

30 percent rating: 

• • 100 (the initial baseline for all Veterans) x 0.3 = 30
• • 100 - 30 = 70
• • 70 is your new baseline
•  

• 20 percent rating:

•  • 70 x 0.2 = 14
• • 70 - 14 = 56

Final combined disability rating:

•  • 100 - 56 = 44
•  • Disability rating is 40 percent

Contact us today at 866-476-4558 or click "Schedule a Consultation Below".  Someone from our team will reach out to you and provide you with the help you need.

As you can tell, VA math is rather complicated. There is a helpful calculator on the VA’s website

At the Rocky Mountain Disability Law Group, we realize how vital it is to get your disability rating correct the first time. After examining your medical information, we will factor in all conditions relating to your disability to help you receive the highest rating possible. If you received a decision from the VA and believe that the rating assigned for your condition is incorrect, contact us at 866-476-4558 and we’ll be happy to take a look for you.